Anyone can be an author, and most people are in some capacity. Even this blog post is evidence of that! The writing is the easy part (Well, maybe not easy) but what about after you’ve finished your manuscript?
What you CAN’T Copyright in your novel
When talking about novels, there are certain parts that simply can’t be copyrighted. Concepts that are more general or broad can’t be monopolized by an individual person or group, which is exactly what copyright does.
The title, short phrases, themes, plot points, characters, and settings are considered uncopyrightable subject matters. Leaving this open to the public is what allows more novels to be made. This is why we’re able to have a wide variety of genres, tropes, and themes. While geared towards more nonfiction writings, it’s still important to note that facts, research, and numbers also can’t be copyrighted. Even book designs, familiar symbols, and color palettes are uncopyrightable materials. That being said, your book itself is very much protected under copyright.
How to Copyright Your Novel
The steps to copyright your book are fairly straightforward. While it can be confusing going through the process of legally making something yours, the U.S. Copyright Office has everything you need listed clearly.
The first step is to write your book! There is a level of protection you have by just creating your work because of Intellectual Property Law. It’s a work you created with your own thoughts and ideas, so it’s already tied to you. Most authors fully finish their novel before worrying about registration, which proves to be helpful in the long run. It’s easier to focus on law jargon without the weight of editing on your shoulders!
You’ll want to register your work next. This has its own handful of steps that can feel daunting, but the process is painless. You start by going onto the Electronic Copyright Office website and registering a new account if you don’t already have one. Under “Literary Works,” click “Register a Literary Work” and finally click “Register One Work by One Author.” This route is much more cost effective. After that click “Start Registration” and follow the registration process. The last part of this section is to pay the fee through debit, credit, or direct deposit.
The final step you’ll need to complete is to submit a copy of your work to the Copyright Office. The office will want the best edition of your book, depending on how many editions you have. This means sending in a paperback edition instead of a digital one, or a hardcover instead of paperback. Essentially, they want the prettiest version of your book to register. This is the main reason authors wait until their novel is completely finished to start the registration process. There are print-on-demand services that can get you an inexpensive copy of your book for this purpose, which is fortunate since you won’t be getting this copy back.
With that done, you’ve successfully copyrighted your book! There are things that come after, like creating a copyright notice page with a copyright symbol, year of publishing, and your pen name, but that’s after the completion of your registration. Congratulations on your protected novel!
Disclaimer: The information contained on this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.